Outdoor wedding venues in Chicago average $279 per hour to rent, but it’s easy to spend less or more depending on what you’re looking for. For a space on the smaller side, expect to spend closer to $222, whereas larger venues run about $584 per hour.

How popular are outdoor wedding venues in Chicago?

Our local hosts have welcomed 844213+ people into their outdoor wedding venues with reviews averaging 4.93 stars. Most even said they would book again -- about 99%.

How long do people rent outdoor wedding venues in Chicago?

Most outdoor wedding venues are scheduled for 5 hours, with 50 people in attendance. You’ll find the most Outdoor Weddings starting between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Pricing and popularity information in this section is based on proprietary data from bookings made on Peerspace from 2016-2024.

The best outdoor wedding venues in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, is home to some of the densest urban architecture in the country. Yet it's also one of the best places to have a wedding. Urban areas blend seamlessly with local parks and waterfront regions. Discerning newlyweds have an endless set of choices to explore.
One of the most historic outdoor venues in Chicago is the Glessner House, located in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood along historic Prairie Avenue. Built in the 19th century during the Gilded Age, the mansion features a conservatory and dance floor for up to 200 guests. The Glessner House is on The National Register of Historic Places and offers an excellent blend of indoor and outdoor beauty.
For a Chicago wedding venue with an outdoor patio, Lacuna Events offers their SkyDeck. Their Reverie Gallery's indoor displays from local artists and industrial timber loft architecture are a real treat. But what better way to celebrate a Chicago romance than taking in the skyline from the top of the building?
Botanical garden weddings in Chicago are becoming more popular as well. The Chicago Botanic Garden offers serene waterfalls, summer breezes scented by blossoms, and your choice in ceremony locations. Many of the best Chicago garden wedding venues offer tree lined avenues, rose gardens, and floral archways, to get your imagination going.

Choosing an affordable outdoor wedding venue in Chicago

Affordability is as important as quality when searching for places to hold Chicago outdoor wedding receptions. Yet you need not sacrifice one for the other, as the South Branch proves. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the outdoor bar and nearby riverfront are framed by the soaring skyscrapers of the city proper. Indoors, the brightly lit South Branch restaurant offers a feast and well-stocked bar to keep the party mood going.
Outdoor wedding locations in Chicago often feature an array of tastefully decorated indoor areas. That way guests can easily escape winter's chill or the occasional rainy day. Spacious, airy interiors with tall windows remind them that an open air expanse is never far, though.

The best lakeside wedding venues in Chicago

As the biggest city on America's Third Coast, waterfront weddings are a uniquely Chicagoan way to celebrate your new life as a couple. The canals that run through the city wind their way past historic buildings, take your venue under bridges, and take you right to Lake Michigan. Boat wedding venues like Chicago's First Lady specialize in unforgettable experiences along the waterfront. But then, so does every single one of these Chicago outdoor wedding reception venues!
Chicago also offers waterfront venues like banquet halls, rustic barns, and restaurants. Few lakeside attractions can compete with booking Navy Pier, however. The Aon Grand Ballroom comfortably houses over 1,000 guests under its 80-foot domed ceiling. From there, wedding guests have instant access to an uncluttered view of Lake Michigan along the pier, with the world-famous Chicago skyline offering an unforgettable view to the west.